Covid, new Delta variant in 42 countries. WHO: studies in progress on risks

For the new Delta variant of the coronavirus, AY.4.2, “an increase in reports has been observed since July 2021 and as of 25 October over 26 thousand sequences have been uploaded from 42 countries to the Gisaid database”. This was reported by the World Health Organization, which in the latest weekly report on the progress of Covid-19 dedicates a chapter to the new sub-mutant Delta. Whether it constitutes less of a risk in terms of greater contagiousness or greater ability to escape immunity still needs to be clarified, specifies the WHO. Studies are ongoing. “The majority of the sequences (93%) – reads the report – were reported by the United Kingdom” where, proportionally to the total of Delta sub-variants, there was “a gradual increase in the contribution of AY.4.2” which represents “approximately 5.9% of the total cases of Delta “reported in the week from 3 to 10 October. The new Delta variant presents” 3 additional mutations – explains the WHO – including 2 (A222V and Y145H) in the Spike protein “through which Sars -CoV-2 ‘locks on’ target cells. “Epidemiological and laboratory studies are underway to assess whether” typology “AY.4.2 confers” the Delta variant (which is classified as a Voc, or variant of concern) “additional phenotypic impacts. For example, a change in transmissibility or a decrease the ability of antibodies to block the virus “.